6 Keys to Effective Group Participation

by Richard E. Dodge

Safety and security are considered by some psychologists to be essential for personal growth.  People will find places in which tye feel safe and secure.  Merely making a class experience open to discussion and group activity does not assure that individuals will feel safe and free to participate.  Teachers and study group leaders must be intentional in creating a truly open and safe study environment.

Creating a safe environment not only has a positive effect on group discussion, but also is essential for encouraging participation from learners who are not likely to place themselves in situations in which they can be embarrassed.  A safe environment allows adults to take communication risks. This is accomplished by creating an atmosphere in which learners feel they have a reasonable level of equal importance and they know that a coach/facilitator will manage the group process to prevent personal 'harm'to any individual.

Here are some practical ways a leader can communicate safety:

• Arrange chairs in a circle in the larger group with everyone at eye level. Leaders and learners become equals in the learning process.
• Establish ground rules. Let everyone know that each person is of worth and value, and that everyone deserves respect from other learners.
• Develop leadership confidence. Encourage even quiet learners to accept leadership positions that can help them serve God.
• Provide clear instructions to groups and group leaders. Make sure groups and leaders know what you expect from them.
• Use time wisely. Communicate plans and time increments, and then try to stick with the time frame.
• Rearrange group composition regularly. This helps learners get to know one another as well as discover others who have similar learning preferences.

Remember that people generally want to learn, but may have prior experiences that have left them feeling emotionally injured or inferior because someone failed to accept their thoughts or ideas.  All ideas and contributions are valid regardless of where they are accurate.  If they miss the target, affirm the person for the contribution and help the contributor discover the correct answer or information.  This often can be done simply by asking questions that encourage the contributor to reflect on his or her initial thoughts.

Sometimes our best teaching happens when we sit back and let the learners discover for themselves what you want them to learn.  Small group activities and assignments open doors for reflection and discovery, leaving you free to facilitate learning rather than impart knowledge.

A PICTURE OF COMMITMENT

(copied)

It was a cold winter day. An old man walked out onto a frozen lake, cut a hole in the ice and dropped in his fishing line. He was there for almost an hour, without even a nibble, when a young boy walked out onto the ice, cut a hole in the ice not far from him. The young boy dropped his fishing line and minutes later he hooked a large bass.

The old man couldn't believe his eyes but chalked it up to plain luck. But, shortly thereafter, the young boy pulled in another large catch.

The young boy kept catching fish after fish. Finally, the old man couldn't take it any longer. "Son, I've been here for over an hour without even a nibble. You've been here only a few minutes and have caught a half dozen fish! How do you do it?"

The boy responded, "Roo raf roo reep ra rums rrarm."

"What was that?" the old man asked.

Again the boy responded, "Roo raf roo reep ra rums rarrm."

"Look," said the old man, "I can't understand a word you're saying."

The boy spit the contents of his mouth into his hand and said, "You have to keep the worms warm!"

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP:  War Room; Here are some resources you can use to promote and enhance your experience with this upcoming movie -  http://buff.ly/1HRKFcP 

FOR TRAINING LEADERSHIP: Ministry Training Essentials, providing core training to the five leading areas of ministry in  your church - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Ministry-Training-Essentials

FOR SMALL GROUP MINISTRY: Join the ‘Hebrews Initiative’ this fall! - http://www.lifeway.com/n/special-emphasis/hebrews-initiative?emid=rpoinde-hebrewsinitiative-67151-20150414

FOR HELP IN WRITING YOUR OWN BIBLE STUDIES: Smallgroup.com offers Bible studies for every book in the Bible and over 200 topics.  Soon video supported studies! - http://home.smallgroup.com/

FOR DISCIPLESHIP:  DevoHub, a new way of delivering a daily devotional to your church and community - http://devohub.com/

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Disciples Path, a plan for developing disciples - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Disciples-Path

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: What Keeps You Up at Night? By Pete Wilson - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/what-keeps-you-up-at-night-bible-study-kit-P005747964

FOR YOUTH LEADERS: Midweek Services resources for Explore the Bible, Bible Studies for Life, and The Gospel Project curriculum users - http://blog.lifeway.com/explorethebible/blog/what-are-these-new-midweek-verse-by-verse-things/

FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: Kids Ministry Conference, Nashville, TN, October 19-21, 2015 - http://www.lifeway.com/Event/Kids-Conference-LifeWay-Kids-Ministry-Conference

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: How to Incorporate Prayer into Your Women’s Ministry - http://www.lifeway.com/womensministry/2015/08/05/how-to-incorporate-prayer-into-your-womens-ministry/

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Fervent, A Woman's Battle Plan to Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer by Priscilla Shirer (a companion piece for the War Room movie) - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/fervent-P005765905

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  Women’s Forum, November 12-14, 2015 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Women%27s-Ministry-Leadership-Forum?type=events

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Johnny Hunt’s Men’s conference simulcast, February 5-6, 2016 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/product-family/johnny-hunt-men's-conference?type=events&intcmp=MensEvents-MTX-Text-JHuntSimulcast-20150903

Guiding a Dominating Participant

by Clark Cothern

People shifted in their seats, looking first at each other, then down at their Bibles. Janice didn't seem to notice. She just kept on talking, answering almost every question in the guide before anyone else could speak.

As the group members shuffled out after the study, Martha, the hostess, gave encouraging looks, as if to say, "I understand." She was concerned some might stop coming if Janice continued to dominate the group's discussions.

Does this scenario sound familiar? Almost anyone who has been in a group study can identify with the feelings of frustration that result when one member controls. What can be done about a leader or group member who assumes the role of "expert" and dominates discussion?

Establish ground rules.

This is preventative maintenance for your group. Each time you begin a study, make sure the group understands the guidelines for group study. One way to do this effectively is to pass out guidelines (try writing them on bookmarks) to each participant and ask each one to read a guideline aloud. In that way, everyone takes part and each member knows how the group will be led.

One or two of the guidelines should emphasize that the discussion is for every group member. No one person should dominate the study. By emphasizing this before the study, you leave the door open to gentle correction of the problem later. Sometimes a simple reminder can bring people back to the guidelines and avoid a frustrating study in which people wonder what to do about a controlling individual.

Set an example.

When, as the leader, you set the pace, others tend to follow your lead. That means you should avoid answering every question. Listen more than you talk. Seek to guide the group in making their own discoveries rather than always feeding them yours.

If your good example is not enough, firm but gentle suggestions can be made in a positive way without hurting feelings. For example, when someone begins contributing more often than the others, you might say, "I would really like to hear from some who haven't shared yet. What do the rest of you think?"

This often works with those who are sensitive to others and are simply unaware they are starting to control.

Confront caringly.

You have probably met those who don't respond to subtlety. With the more aggressive personality, caring confrontation is often necessary. For an example of this type of intervention, let's return to our original scenario.

After the study, Martha approached Janice. "Would you like to stay for a cup of coffee?" Janice accepted.

Over coffee, Martha expressed her delight that Janice was getting so much from the studies. She affirmed Janice by pointing out several strengths she had demonstrated to the group. Martha's genuine concern for Janice was evident.

Then, Martha asked clearly, but kindly, "Janice, may I be candid with you about something you may not be aware of?" She asked permission from Janice to offer a caring critique.

With Janice's consent, Martha continued. "Because you are getting so much from the studies, you may not have noticed that several others in the group have not spoken much. I'd like you to help me draw them into the discussions. We want to share our discoveries, and I'm sure others need to have the joy of discovery as you have. Would you help me do that?"

Because Martha involved Janice as a team member, asking for her help to accomplish a group goal, Janice felt accepted, not threatened. Things improved greatly after the caring confrontation. Members of the group thanked Martha for intervening on their behalf.

Janice still tended to dominate. However, Martha gently reminded her from time to time of their team effort, and Janice responded to Martha's loving correction.

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP:  War Room; Here are some resources you can use to promote and enhance your experience with this upcoming movie -  http://buff.ly/1HRKFcP 

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP:  6 Tips for Staff Meetings That Don’t Stink by Mark Dance – http://buff.ly/1MJZlvJ

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERSHIP: Growing Groups Conferences (in Georgia) throughout August - http://gabaptistgroups.org/2015-growing-groups/

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERSHIP: Groups Matter Event at Ridgecrest, NC, August 27-29, 2015, discussing issues like disciple making, DNA of healthy groups, responding to the homosexual question, missional groups, etc. - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Groups-Matter-Event?type=events

FOR SMALL GROUP MINISTRY: Join the ‘Hebrews Initiative’ this fall! - http://www.lifeway.com/n/special-emphasis/hebrews-initiative?emid=rpoinde-hebrewsinitiative-67151-20150414

FOR HELP IN WRITING YOUR OWN BIBLE STUDIES: http://home.smallgroup.com/

FOR DISCIPLESHIP:  I Will: Nine Traits of an Outwardly Focused Christian by Dr. Thom Rainer - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/i-will-P005742345

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Fuge Camps 2016, register now - http://www.fugecamps.com/events/2016-06/

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: My 8, helping students understand the heart of evangelism - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/my-8-embrace-and-engage-the-wonder-of-evangelism-leader-kit-P005737563

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Leadership Lessons, part 1 & 2 by Ben Trueblood - http://www.lifeway.com/studentministry/?type=learn

FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: Kids Ministry Conference, Nashville, TN, October 19-21, 2015 - http://www.lifeway.com/Event/Kids-Conference-LifeWay-Kids-Ministry-Conference

FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: Kids Ministry podcasts - http://buff.ly/1eSySy6

FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: 5 Tips for VBS Preparation - http://t.co/NgBEPJdyKW

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: How to Incorporate Prayer into Your Women’s Ministry - http://www.lifeway.com/womensministry/2015/08/05/how-to-incorporate-prayer-into-your-womens-ministry/

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Fervent, A Woman's Battle Plan to Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer by Priscilla Shirer (a companion piece for the War Room movie) - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/fervent-P005765905

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  Living Proof Live, Beth Moore simulcast, September 12, 2015 - buff.ly/1QfeHqf

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  Women’s Forum, November 12-14, 2015 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Women%27s-Ministry-Leadership-Forum?type=events

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Sleeping Giant: Beginning a Men’s Ministry by Kenny Luck - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Sleeping-Giant?intcmp=KennyLuck-MTX-Text-SleepingGiant-20130124

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY:  Stepping Up: A Call for Courageous Manhood - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/stepping-up-a-call-to-courageous-manhood-leader-kit-P005764897

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY:  Killing Lions: A Guide Through the Trials Young Men Face by John and Sam Eldridge - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/killing-lions-P005680389

Keeping the Proper Focus

Several Christmases ago, my family enjoyed a family reunion at a camping lodge in Leavenworth, WA. During our time there, Karen and I took some skiing lessons at a ski school at Stephens Pass. (Don’t you love me talking about snow in the middle of summer!)  At one point the instructor asked me to stand downhill from them by around 25 yards. He then told Karen to go around me as a practice in making a left hand turn.  He made it a point of emphasis to say, “Focus on the open patch of snow just downhill from your husband and aim for it.  No matter what you do, do not look at your husband because what you focus on is what you’re going to head for.”  True to his word, Karen locked her eyes on me (boy, what a look of fear!) and she flat ran me over!

Recently I read an article that reinforces this principle. Missionary pilot Bernie May wrote about his experiences on the mission field,  He shared this point, "One of the most difficult lessons to teach new pilots about landing on short, hazardous airstrips is to keep their eyes on the good part of the strip rather than on the hazard. The natural tendency is to concentrate on the obstacle, the danger, the thing he is trying to avoid. But experience teaches us that a pilot who keeps his eye on the hazard will sooner or later hit it dead center."

The spiritual principle in all of this is that instead of concentrating on the sins we want to avoid, we are told to focus on the positive actions Christ desires for us. Paul told the Christians at Colosse: "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2). We are to discard old ways of thinking and acting (vv.5-9) and "put on" new ways of living (vv.10-17).

Bernie May sums it up by saying that experienced pilots focus their attention solidly on the track they want the plane to follow, keeping the hazards in their peripheral vision only.

All too often, we try our best with all our ability (there may be part of the problem) to avoid sins in our life that frequently trip us, but yet we seem to be drawn right back to them.  A better point of focus is to simply concentrate on Christ and His will for our lives and to give up being so self reliant on our puny spiritual strength. When we keep Christ and His interests as the focus, the lure of the old life will remain in the corner of our eye, but our aim will most often land us squarely in the center of God's will.

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP:  War Room; Here are some resources you can use to promote and enhance your experience with this upcoming movie -  http://buff.ly/1HRKFcP 

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP:  6 Simple Things a First Time Church Guest Likes by Dr. Thom Rainer - http://thomrainer.com/2015/06/six-simple-things-a-first-time-church-guest-likes/

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERSHIP: Growing Groups Conferences (in Georgia) throughout August - http://gabaptistgroups.org/2015-growing-groups/

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERSHIP: Groups Matter Event at Ridgecrest, NC, August 27-29, 2015, discussing issues like disciple making, DNA of healthy groups, responding to the homosexual question, missional groups, etc. - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Groups-Matter-Event?type=events

FOR SMALL GROUP MINISTRY: Join the ‘Hebrews Initiative’ this fall! - http://www.lifeway.com/n/special-emphasis/hebrews-initiative?emid=rpoinde-hebrewsinitiative-67151-20150414

FOR HELP IN WRITING YOUR OWN BIBLE STUDIES: http://home.smallgroup.com/

FOR BIBLE STUDY: January Bible Study 2016, Second Corinthians; The Church Ministry’s Handbook - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/January-Bible-Study

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Tech Help in Student Ministry by Chris Swain - http://www.lifeway.com/studentministry/2015/05/26/student-ministry-tech/

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Tips on Retaining Your Student Leadership - buff.ly/1QfeHqf

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Seamless by Angie Smith, understanding the Bible as one complete story for teenage girls - http://www.lifeway.com/Seamless/Youth/c/N-1z0zm8zZ1z141ym

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: My 8, helping students understand the heart of evangelism - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/my-8-embrace-and-engage-the-wonder-of-evangelism-leader-kit-P005737563

FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: Three Essentials for the Church and Home by Jeffrey Reed - http://www.lifeway.com/Kids/LifeWay-Christian-Resources/c/N-1z10cb8Z1z141jl?intcmp=LifeWayKid-MTX-Banner-3Essentials-20150128

FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: Before You Serve: Shake the Dust Off Your Feet by Jana Magruder - http://www.lifeway.com/kidsministry/2015/07/10/before-you-serve-shake-the-dust-off-your-feet/

FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: Evangelism and Discipleship materials - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/I%27m-a-Christian-Now

FOR DISCIPLESHIP:  I Will: Nine Traits of an Outwardly Focused Christian by Dr. Thom Rainer - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/i-will-P005742345

(There is a four session Bible study that is available to download for the "I Will" book as well as sermon helps and video clips to enhance a church's experience in reading this book)

FOR DISCIPLESHIP:  The Friends of Jesus by Karen Kingsbury - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/the-friends-of-jesus-bible-study-leader-kit-p005727070

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Fervent, A Woman's Battle Plan to Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer by Priscilla Shirer (a companion piece for the War Room movie) - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/fervent-P005765905

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  Living Proof Live, Beth Moore simulcast, September 12, 2015 - buff.ly/1QfeHqf

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  Women’s Forum, November 12-14, 2015 - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Women%27s-Ministry-Leadership-Forum?type=events

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY:  Stepping Up: A Call for Courageous Manhood - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/stepping-up-a-call-to-courageous-manhood-leader-kit-P005764897

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY:  Killing Lions: A Guide Through the Trials Young Men Face by John and Sam Eldridge - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/killing-lions-P005680389

Trees of Faith

I rarely use this forum to share glimpses from my personal life. I try to 'keep it professional.'  Many of you may not know that my wife, Karen, and I lost a son six years ago this June 14.  If you are interested in how that tragedy has changed us you are invited to view our blog, Embracing Grief, at http://embracinggrief.blogspot.com/.  But let me warn you, sometimes we get pretty transparent, raw, and messy with our journey.

In light of this upcoming anniversary, I wanted to share one of my entries and insights.

Beth's painting

As Karen and I struggled to navigate in the fog of grief following Jacob’s death, we tried to set up memorials and remembrances of Jacob’s life (as if we would really forget about him!). Beth, our sweet daughter-in-law, painted a beautiful painting of Karen and Jacob on the beach that we have hanging prominently on our wall. And we have other memorabilia around the house that bring us comfort and, often, tears, as they remind us of him.

Another way we tried to honor him was by planting a tree or shrub somewhere around our cabin home in North Carolina on his birthday, March 11. The first plantings we did, while we still lived in Marietta but would come to the cabin on weekends, were two dogwood saplings. One produces pink flowers and the other, white.

Now, I’ve never considered myself a gardener and if half of what I planted each season survived I felt like I was fortunate. Thankfully, both of the dogwoods survived the first summer and fall.  But one weekend in late winter we came up to the cabin and, as I was inspecting the place, I was dismayed to see that the beavers from the creek had somehow circumvented the protective wire around the trunk we had placed around the dogwoods and had chewed off the main trunk of one about two feet above the ground.

One dogwood

I was devastated by this act of vandalism done by a four legged creature with buck teeth. This tree was to symbolize the life of Jacob and now this furry beast had decimated it.  Then I began to smile as I could hear Jacob’s gravelly laughter and voice speaking to me, “Pops, since when did I give a hoot about dogwood trees?”

In the years since this occurrence we have come to realize that, as nice as the act of planting shrubs and trees to remember Jacob by is, we really don’t need these physical reminders to help us honor and remember the life of Jacob.  He is constantly with us in our thoughts. Rarely an hour doesn’t go by that something brings him to mind and it emotes a smile or a tear (and often, both) on our faces.

But you may be asking, “Hey, what happened to the dogwood trees?”

The damaged dogwood

Thankfully, both dogwoods have survived and they have now come to symbolize something else in my life. As I look at the dogwood trees they remind me of my faith in God and how it has changed shape over the years.

For years, my tree of faith was growing straight and true, producing blossoms and leaves as it grew upward and outward. Unseen, the root system grew deep and wide, drawing the needed nutrients and water to keep the tree alive.  But then Jacob died …. And the trunk of my tree of faith was severed at the top.  Since that time, the appearance and substance of my faith has been changed dramatically.

Jacob’s death has caused me to analyze how faith works; how prayer works; how God works.  I have come up with lots of questions and very little answers.  My faith has been damaged and has forever changed shape but it persistently clings to life. Rather, God and His grace has persistently clung onto me in the midst of my doubts, anger, and questions.

In the ensuing years, the dogwood tree that was ravaged by the beaver has struggled to survive and has compensated with the loss of the main trunk by using a branch of the tree as its new main trunk. Meanwhile, the other dogwood has continued to grow well balanced and full.

The one tree reminds me that some people grow with little opposition in their life. They may encounter the occasional bug or pest, but on the whole, everything comes easy for them and they are the perfect picture, according to most people, of what life should be like. They are full and balanced and produce beauty that is attractive to all around them.

But then there are others, like me, who have had some type of trauma that has attacked their tree of faith.  They have been ravaged and brought low.  But beneath the surface, their root system has stayed intact and continues to slowly supply the sap to what’s left of the tree in order for it to continue to live and grow. Now to all outward appearances, that growth is awkward and off balanced due to the heavy losses that tree has incurred. It is still alive and growing but it will forever be affected and changed. It will never be a tree of beauty again. It will continue to face challenges to its life because of its deformity.  But it is ‘still in the game’, struggling for growth and life as it remains tapped in the main power supply. By God’s abundant grace, my ugly looking tree of faith continues to live and grow despite the damage that has been done.

And, thankfully, God loves and nurtures both trees just the same. He has no expectations of equal production, just equal love. And His grace nurtures all trees equally, whether they are deformed or full.

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP:  War Room; Here are some resources you can use to promote and enhance your experience with this upcoming movie -  http://buff.ly/1HRKFcP 

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP: Seven trends in Worship Service Times by Dr. Thom Rainer - http://thomrainer.com/2015/05/25/seven-trends-in-worship-service-times/

FOR SMALL GROUP LEADERSHIP: On Point simulcast, June 9, 1:00-3:30pm (CST) – Rick Howerton, Steve Gladen, Mark Howell, and other small group experts will discuss all aspects of developing a vibrant small group ministry. Register for this FREE event at http://live.ministrygrid.com/

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERSHIP: Groups Matter Event at Ridgecrest, NC, August 27-29, 2015, discussing issues like disciple making, DNA of healthy groups, responding to the homosexual question, missional groups, etc. - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Groups-Matter-Event?type=events

FOR HELP IN WRITING YOUR OWN BIBLE STUDIES: http://home.smallgroup.com/

FOR BIBLE STUDY: January Bible Study 2016, Second Corinthians; The Church Ministry’s Handbook - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/January-Bible-Study

FOR PARENTS: Helping Your Kids Survive Social Media -  http://buff.ly/1eD1ID3 

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Tips on Retaining Your Student Leadership - buff.ly/1QfeHqf

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Seamless by Angie Smith, understanding the Bible as one complete story for teenage girls - http://www.lifeway.com/Seamless/Youth/c/N-1z0zm8zZ1z141ym

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Virtuosity: A 40 Day Devotional Guide for Guys - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/virtuosity-P005720882

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: My 8, helping students understand the heart of evangelism - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/my-8-embrace-and-engage-the-wonder-of-evangelism-leader-kit-P005737563

FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: ZIP, a easy, ‘build it yourself’ day camp, summertime, anytime fun time - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Zip-For-Kids?intcmp=ZipForKidsSearch-MTX-Button-20130819

FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: Evangelism and Discipleship materials - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/I%27m-a-Christian-Now

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Beth Moore simulcast, September 12, 2015 - buff.ly/1QfeHqf

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Hosea by Jennifer Rothschild - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Hosea?intcmp=LWMain-Hero4-Hosea-20150525

Making a Healthy Church Unhealthy

There’s another Rainer in the house!

We all have benefited from insights that Dr. Thom Rainer has shared through his blogs and books.  Now there’s another Rainer you may need to start following – Sam.

I’ve copied the following article from his blog (http://samrainer.com/) that gives warning how a healthy church can quickly become unhealthy.  Good stuff!

How a Healthy Church Can Spiral Quickly into Dysfunction

By Sam Rainer

 Churches are more like organisms than they are organizations. Of course, organizational management is important in churches. Finances, staff reviews, and operations are among the many management activities in the church. Ultimately, however, churches are alive. Biblically, the church is a body. As a functioning organism, the church body is always changing. Like our own bodies, the church either becomes healthier or less healthy. Churches grow. Or they start dying. Congregations may plateau for a season. But no church remains static in perpetuity.

Like an organism, when church health declines, it typically does so slowly. But there are cases when an otherwise healthy person experiences a sudden deterioration. Healthy churches can also experience a sharp decline in health. There are cases of healthy churches quickly becoming dysfunctional. Below are five ways I’ve seen churches spiral downward quickly, almost overnight.

Killer gossip. There is a reason gossip and murder are listed together in Romans 1. Gossip kills. While every church probably has a gossip or two waiting to ambush an unsuspecting soul, killer gossip is a more sinister monster. Killer gossip is more than a Twitter rant or an intentionally misleading question (“Did you hear what the preacher said at his son’s baseball game?”). Killer gossip has as its goal the complete destruction of another person. This kind of gossip destroys families, careers, and churches. It’s viral and can spread so quickly through the church body that it leaves a permanent sickness—one ultimately resulting in death.

A silent majority during a moment of crisis. A small group (it’s usually less than a dozen) can do a lot of damage in any church. Healthy churches can spiral quickly, however, when this small group takes advantage of a crisis in the church to get their way. The crisis magnifies their voice and power. If the silent majority does not speak out against this kind of power play, then a healthy church can become dysfunctional in a short time period.

Moral failure of a pastor. Few disasters affect a healthy body like the moral failure of a key leader. Indeed, even the healthiest of churches will likely struggle through the after-effects of leader’s moral failure. Unfortunately, there are too many examples of healthy churches becoming dysfunctional following a moral failure in leadership.

Force majeure event. Force majeure is often used as contract language to free both parties from liability or obligation in the event of a major natural disaster, like a hurricane or flood. When these types of events affect entire communities, churches suffer. For example, when a large manufacturing firm left a small town, it meant most of the community was either unemployed or had to move. Every church in the community struggled. Some became dysfunctional quickly.

A snake is allowed to slither. Evil is real. And it’s not a vague concept. People sin. Sin hurts other people. Not every sinner is a snake, of course. On occasion, however, an evil person enters the body. When you have an unwanted snake in your house, you don’t pet it and ask it nicely to leave. You strike it. Don’t play games with evil. Get rid of it or your church could quickly spiral into dysfunction.

The powers of darkness will attack. In fact, healthy churches should expect evil to oppose an expanding gospel work. Most healthy churches are prepared. But no church should get comfortable. Satan’s goal is to make healthy churches fall . . . quickly. However, God is infinitely greater. Even the most disastrous of situations do not necessarily lead to dysfunction. In fact, it is the body that will determine whether the infection will spread or cause a response that leads to greater health.

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERSHIP: Groups Matter Event at Ridgecrest, NC, August 27-29, 2015, discussing issues like disciple making, DNA of healthy groups, responding to the homosexual question, missional groups, etc. - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Groups-Matter-Event?type=events

FOR HELP IN WRITING YOUR OWN BIBLE STUDIES: http://home.smallgroup.com/

FOR CHURCH LEADERSHIP: 11 Places to Use Greeters by Chuck Lawless - http://buff.ly/1EgS16E 

FOR BIBLE STUDY: January Bible Study 2016, Second Corinthians; The Church Ministry’s Handbook - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/January-Bible-Study

FOR BIBLE STUDY LEADERSHIP: a video explaining what’s coming for adults in The Gospel Project/Chronological - https://vimeo.com/122668812

FOR SMALL GROUPS: Hebrews Initiative, living out your faith in a post-Christian world - http://www.lifeway.com/n/special-emphasis/hebrews-initiative

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Jesus Continued by J.D. Greear & Trevin Wax -  http://buff.ly/1Q3sHVX

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Ordinary by Tony Merida - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/ordinary-bible-study-kit-P005644105

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Counter Culture by David Platt - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/counter-culture-leader-kit-P005703479?intcmp=Counter-MTX-Text-Kit-20150109

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Fight Back with Joy by Margaret Feinberg - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/fight-back-with-joy-celebrate-more-regret-less-stare-down-your-greatest-fears-leader-kit-P005699446

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: a video describing what’s coming for students in The Gospel Project/Chronological – https://vimeo.com/122668813

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Counter Culture, confronting today’s issues redemptively - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/counter-culture-student-leader-kit-P005647994

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: Virtuosity: A 40 Day Devotional Guide for Guys - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/virtuosity-P005720882

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY: My 8, helping students understand the heart of evangelism - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/my-8-embrace-and-engage-the-wonder-of-evangelism-leader-kit-P005737563

FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: a video describing what’s coming for kids in The Gospel Project/Chronological - https://vimeo.com/123430346

FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: ZIP, a easy, ‘build it yourself’ day camp, summertime, anytime fun time - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Zip-For-Kids?intcmp=ZipForKidsSearch-MTX-Button-20130819

FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: Evangelism and Discipleship materials - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/I%27m-a-Christian-Now

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: The Main Event, Nashville, June 19-20, 2015 with special speakers Mike Huckabee, Dr. Tony Evans, Jim Kelley, Derwin Gray and more - http://www.lifeway.com/event/mens-event-the-main-event-2015-nashville-tn?intcmp=TheMainEvent-MTX-Button-Nashville-20140803

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: How Balanced is Your Women’s Ministry - http://www.lifeway.com/womensministry/2015/05/13/how-balanced-is-your-womens-ministry/